Page 57 of Chasing Stars
Jenna is out of the car without a second thought. “Bye!” she calls. “Oh! Don’t forget the guac.”
I give her a salute and I’m off.
I spotNate’s car when I pull into our favorite little Mexican spot. Through the window, I can see him scrolling his phone, probably waiting for a take-out order. I get out of the car quickly so I can catch him.
“Yo,” I say, nodding in his direction, as I step inside. I walk up to the counter. “Pickup for Miles,” I tell the girl behind the register.
“Okay, it’ll just be a few minutes,” she says with a smile.
“No problem.” I turn and walk toward Nate. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“What are you up to?” Nate asks. I notice he’s without Caden.
“Picking up food for Jenna and me,” I reply, eyeing him curiously. “Where’s Caden?”
“With Mom and Dad. I’m grabbing dinner for all of us,” Nate says with a smirk.
“What the hell. No one invited me?” I scoff, feigning annoyance.
“I called you. Check your phone.” Nate elbows me.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and sure enough, there are a couple of missed calls from Nate and my mom. “My bad. Jenna and I were surfing.”
Nate rolls his eyes but he’s smiling. “Should have known. Did you convince her to stay yet?”
I shrug. “Maybe. She’s actually staying with me for a week or two. Her roof caved in last night.” I laugh as I say it because the whole thing is so mind-blowing.
“What? Dude.” Nate shakes his head.
“I know. Danny said she needed a roof, but no one expected this.” I exhale.
“That’s not what I am sayingdudeto. Dude. Miles, you’re letting this girl live with you already?” Nate’s eyebrows shoot up. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? You haven’t been serious with someone in a long time. It seems fast.”
“So? That doesn’t have to mean anything,” I say, going on the defensive. “Besides. there are things about her you don’t know.”
“She likes surfing? Unlike Erin.” Nate laughs. This is typical Nate, making jokes to bite back what he really wants to say.
“No.” I shake my head, suddenly serious. “I don’t think I should tell you.” I push my lips together, mulling it over.
The girl at the counter calls Nate’s name. He walks up to pay, collecting his bags, giving me a chance to be thoughtful about how I tell him this.
“You have to tell me now,” he pushes. “Is she dying or something?”
I gawk at him in confusion. “What? No. She’s not dying. At least I don’t think so.”
“Then what?” He will not give this up, and it’s my own fault for bringing it up. Maybe I do need to tell someone. I have to get this off my chest. Nate’s my brother. He wants what’s best for me. I’m sure he’ll have some advice.
I scratch my chin, staring at the floor before meeting Nate’s assessing gaze. “You can’t tell Mom and Dad. Not yet. I haven’t even talked to Jenna about it,” I warn, giving him a pointed look.
Nate holds up his free hand defensively. “Okay, okay.What?” He’s losing his patience with me.
“I think Jenna’s dad might be the guy who saved me. Back in ’97,” I say solemnly.
“What thefuck? No way.” Nate’s jaw drops in disbelief. “That guy died.”
“Yeah, Iknow. I just foundthatout a few days ago, actually. Funny thatyouknow though and never thought to share that tidbit of information.” I frown at my brother.
“What was I supposed to do, randomly bring up something that’s painful for you and make it worse? Would you also like it if I sporadically bring up your divorce?” Nate taunts.
